The Pre-Drink: Florence

Florence, Italy. Where study abroad students flock to take rigorous wine-tasting courses, enjoy some of the best cuisine around, and bask in the heaven that is Italian gelato 3+ times per day. In addition to boasting the best spaghetti carbonara in the world, Florence offers an entirely walkable city that is among the most beautiful in Europe. Between the breathtaking view from the Duomo and the original statue of David, the city offers endless opportunity for exploration day and night. Because the city is on the smaller side, young travelers tend to congregate at a few of Firenze’s key hotspots. We have you covered on everything Florence nightlife has to offer - from its bottomless wine dinners to the city’s famous late-night secret bakeries. But before heading out for the evening, make sure to see the pinned map in order to plan your perfect route for the night. Without further ado, The Loaded Local’s favorite spots in Florence, Italy:

Ristorante Rubaconte

 

Ristorante Rubaconte is a the perfect place to grab dinner before heading out for the night. Make sure to ask for the “family style” meal! You pay just €15 for your meal, unlimited water and WINE! You read that correctly - unlimited wine. For your meal, the waiters will bring out a huge platter of appetizers to share and three large bowls of different pasta for the table. And if that’s not enough - the owner, Fabio, gives you a free Limoncello shot at the end! Once you’ve had your fill, you’re just a short walk from both Lion’s Fountain and Kikuya. http://www.ristoranterubaconte.it/en/pizzeria.html

 

Dante’s

 

Just like Ristorante Rubaconte, Dante’s is another great unlimited wine and food spot. Be warned, Dante’s is located across the river, further out from most of Florence’s nightlife hotspots. However, it is the ideal place to kick off your night if you’re planning on heading to Uncle Jimmy’s, Space, or Yab - which are all a manageable walk from Dante’s. http://www.trattoriadante.com/en/

 

Lions Fountain

 

Lions Fountain is an Irish pub that is a popular pregame spot among Florence’s large study abroad population. Make sure to find your college shirt on the ceiling and sign it! If you pay $5 for a rubber wristband, you’ll get a free shot for every drink you buy while wearing it (works at Uncle Jimmy’s as well!). A huge perk of Lions Fountain is its location - right in the heart of the best nightlife Florence has to offer. Kikuya, Red Garter, and Bamboo are all a hop and a skip away.  http://thelionsfountain.com/

 

Uncle Jimmy’s

 

Uncle Jimmy’s is another Irish pub geared towards the study abroad crowd. The big advantage of Uncle Jimmy’s is that it doesn’t get as crowded as Lions Fountain. Remember, your Lions Fountain wristband works here as well. Plus, its a great spot to pregame if you’re heading to Shot Cafe, Yab, or Space, as they’re all nearby. http://www.unclejimmys.it/

 

Shot Café

 

Shot Café is the perfect place to pregame a night out in Florence. To begin with, the location is unbeatable, located centrally right near the Duomo. On top of that, their signature fishbowl pitchers (with the unreasonably long straws) are a great deal for college students on a budget . If you go to Shot Café, you’re in ideal position to walk to any of Florence’s exciting nightlife options.

 

Kikuya

 

Kikuya is a fun, laid-back bar to pre-game at with a group of friends. It has a delicious (and strong) beer called Dragoon and it comes with a lollipop (because why not)! Red Garter is right next door, so the location is ideal. https://www.kikuyapub.com/en-gb/home